About forty per cent of 9 lakh voters have already cast their votes in the the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha constituency till midday, electoral officials here said today.

People dressed in traditional attires were seen in queues before polling booths in all the five hill districts of Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel, Tamenglong and Churachandpur, where central security forces have been deployed in strength.

Chief Electoral Officer O Nabakishore said all deputy commissioners of hill districts have been instructed to take every precautionary measure.

A total 10 contestants from BJP, Congress, Trinamool Congress, Naga People's Front, NCP, JD(U) and Aam Admi Party, besides three independents are in the fray.